Some advice. Carry a walking stick, avoid bad places/people, look for obstacles, if possible have your gun in your hand already when something is fishy. One of the advantages of pocket carry, and purse/man bag carry with a conceal carry bag, or carrying in the pocket of a coat or jacket. Nobody is going to be alarmed if you have a gun in your hand, you can shoot through the pocket, or bag.

If you can afford it a personal protection dog usually runs from $5K to $10K. The trainer for the local PD's had one for $6K last month. It crossed my mind buying her, but someone beat me to it when I finally called.